Explore the expansive 246,000 acre Carrizo Plain National Monument in southeast San Luis Obispo County, viewing spectacular wildflower displays among grasslands, vernal pools, and desert scrub habitats. Geographic features and scenic vistas include Overlook Hill, the salt playa of Soda Lake, trace of the San Andreas Fault along the base of the Temblor Range, Native American pictographs at Painted Rock, and the highest elevation in the county in the bordering Caliente Range.
A guided van field trip will include a visit to the Goodwin Education Center with many fascinating interpretive displays, stops along the trace of the San Andreas Fault at the famous Wallace Creek offset, wildflower viewing locations, the boardwalk access to Soda Lake, and a guided outing to Painted Rock
The Carrizo is a remnant of the once vast Central Valley grasslands and home to many endemic, rare and endangered flora and fauna. Frequent sightings of raptors include eagles, hawks, and falcons. Rare wildlife species include Tule elk, Pronghorn antelope, Nelson's Antelope ground squirrel, Giant kangaroo rat, San Joaquin kit fox, and Blunt-nosed leopard lizard.
Bring a sack lunch, water, snacks, binoculars, and identification references. Dress in warm layers. Van transportation included.
$4 parking permit required to leave your vehicle on campus
WEATHER POLICY. If a class is canceled due to safety or weather issues, students will be notified by Cuesta Community Program. The class will be rescheduled or full refunds will be given. If the class or program is on the weekend, the instructor will make the decision and call all registered.
- for more info. see website at: https://www.blm.gov/visit/carrizo-plain-national-monument
DATES: 1 Saturday. March 28, 2026.
TIME: 8:00am-6:00pm
- 8:00-9:30am- Lecture
- 9:30am-6:00pm- Field Trip
FEE: $85
LOCATION: San Luis Obispo Room 4110
INSTRUCTOR: Steve Schubert
QUESTIONS: Contact instructor at S_schub1@msn.com
Class Schedule – Please Note:
Our class schedules may be subject to change. You can view the most current class
status anytime on the Community Programs website. To stay up to date after registering,
please monitor your email, as any changes will be sent to the email address we have
on file.
| Meet the instructor | |
|---|---|
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Steve Schubert |
Steve Schubert has a Master's Degree in Biological Sciences. He has worked as an instructor at the Audubon Camp in Maine and as a naturalist on cruise ships through the Inside Passage to Alaska. Steve teaches at an outdoor school for 6th graders and has taught high school biology and earth science courses. He is the volunteer coordinator for the Hi Mountain Lookout Project. He began teaching natural history classes for Cuesta College Community Programs in 1993. |